Magnitude 6.5 earthquake rocks Barbados, no significant damage reported

Tuesday, February 18, 2014, 8:51 AM -

A strong earthquake struck northeast of Barbados early Tuesday morning, waking thousands from their sleep, but causing no significant damage or reported casualties.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck at a depth of 17 km at 5:27 am. It was centred 170 km north of Bathsheba, Barbados.

Barbados Police Constable Chris Greg told The Associated Press by telephone that the earthquake was felt throughout the island.

"It was strong,'' he said.

The quake was also felt in the nearby French Caribbean island of Martinique.

Residents in several parts of Barbados, including the north and east of the island,  were literally  shaken o ... - https://t.co/omViJZbWUH

— Barbados Today (@BarbadosToday) February 18, 2014

Emergency officials said there was no threat of a tsunami and the powerful earthquake didn't last very long.

There were no reports of injuries or damage to infrastructure, and therefore residents were urged to carry on with business as usual.

(USGS)

With files from The Associated Press